The Belgian powerhouse netted his second goal for the club following his arrival from Aston Villa during the summer transfer window with an spectacular acrobatic effort to give the Reds a glimmer of hope at Old Trafford.

His goal reduced the deficit after Daley Blind and Ander Herrera had given the hosts a 2-0 lead, but the Merseyside outfit failed to find a equaliser and United debutant Anthony Martial made the game safe with a stunning solo effort in the 86th minute.

Benteke’s effort is an early contender for goal of the season, but he insists personal awards are of little interest to him and would have swapped his strike for a victory:

“It was just instinct. I saw the ball come into the box and I just thought I had to try it,” he told the club’s official website.

“I had some luck and I am happy with it, but we didn’t get the three points.”

“For my own confidence it was good, [it is] for a striker to score, but at the end of the day I would have rather taken the three points and so I’m disappointed,” Benteke added.

Benteke will be hoping his goal can ignite his career for the Reds as he faces a fight to retain his place in the starting XI as fellow forward Daniel Sturridge is closing on a return to first-team football after five months out with a hip problem.

The England international is back in full training, although manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to reveal when the 26-year-old will make his first appearance of the new season.